It was a much-anticipated game three of the WNBA Finals in Chicago on Friday night. The Phoenix Mercury had dominated the Chicago Sky in the first two games of the Finals, winning by an average margin of 25 points per game. A key reason for the Mercury’s dominance over the Sky was their 6ft. 9 center Brittney Griner, who had 19 points, four blocks, and six rebounds in game two. However Griner would sit out for game three due to an eye injury she had suffered during game two.

Early in game three it seemed like Chicago wanted to make an effort to take advantage of Griner’s absence. Chicago continued to pound the ball inside to center Sylvia Fowles play after play in the 1st half. Fowles had only been averaging just 11 points per game in the first two games of the Finals, but in the first half of game three Fowles scored 14 points. Also for the Sky Elena Delle Donne had scored well in the 1st half with 11 points, but Phoenix still led at half time 45-43.

Diana Taurasi squaring up for a jumpshot.

In the game’s 2nd half it would be all about the Phoenix Mercury’s All-Stars, Diana Taurasi and Candice Dupree. Dupree would score 6 points in the third quarter to keep the Mercury within two points of the Sky, making the score 63-61 Chicago to end the third quarter. The 4th quarter would be all Diana Taurasi as she scored 14 points, including a clutch jumper that gave the Mercury an 85-82 lead with 14.3 seconds left in the game. Chicago Sky’s Elena Delle Donne would miss a three-point field goal attempt and the Mercury’s Penny Taylor would hit the game’s last two free throws, which led to an 87-82 Phoenix win.

Diana Taurasi smiling after hitting a big shot in crunch time for the Mercury.

Diana Taurasi would be named the 2014 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player. Taurasi averaged nearly 20 points and 6 assists per game during the WNBA Finals. She also ranks number one all time in WNBA Finals history in points with 262 and in three-point field goals made. Taurasi ranks 2nd in field goals made and in assists, this is Taurasi’s 2nd Finals MVP as well. As for the Phoenix Mercury this will be the franchises third WNBA championship since 2009 and with Taurasi, Griner, and Dupree coming back Phoenix should be in the WNBA championship hunt again next year. As for now The Mercury and Taurasi will enjoy what she called a “collective team effort” in winning the 2014 WNBA championship.